Somerset Eagles 4

Young Men’s Social Club 5

Uncle and nephew Saki Tuzo and Zeiko Lewis bagged three goals between them to catapult Young Men’s Social Club through to the First Division Shield final at the expense of defending champions Somerset Eagles at Wellington Oval yesterday.

The two relatives spearheaded a remarkable comeback after Social Club appeared dead and buried at 4-2 down at the interval.

Lewis, the son of Troy Lewis, the Social Club coach, started the revival when he netted two goals in the space of two minutes to level the score after Eagles switched off.

Just when it seemed as though extra time would be needed to separate the teams, Lewis set up the winner which his uncle Tuzo slotted into the empty net after Lorenzo Lambert, the Eagles goalkeeper, had committed himself at the near post.

Nique Armstrong and McLee Smith were also on target for Social Club while Tristan Smith, Kieran Evans, Kanhai Fray and Matteo Frazzoni replied for Eagles, who ultimately paid the price for failing to kill the game off when opportunities to do so came their way.

After congratulating his players, Lewis praised both teams for playing their part in the nine-goal thriller.

“It was an excellent game and a good testament to both teams,” Lewis said. “It was a very entertaining semi-final and my hat goes off to Eagles and even more so to my players for showing the heart to come back and do what they had to do.”

Despite chasing the game, Lewis said that he never doubted in his team’s ability to turn their fortunes around.

“I never had any doubts because we have the players who are good enough to get the job done,” he said. “I always stress to my players that you are never out of it until the final whistle.”

As for his brother Tuzo’s fruitful partnership with his son Zeko, Lewis said: “This is the first time they have played together and obviously they can link up, which works in our favour.”

Social Club will now await the winner of the remaining First Division Shield semi-final between BAA Wanderers and Devonshire Colts, last season’s beaten finalist, who meet at Bernard Park today.

“Either team is going to be a challenge for us in the final, so we will have to be at our best,” Lewis said,

Social Club’s stunning come-from-behind victory against Eagles did not come without a cost as Donovan Durrant, the defender, twisted his left knee and is doubtful for the final.

Eagles drew first blood when Smith, the midfielder, powerfully headed home Frazzoni’s corner kick.

However, their celebrations were short-lived as Armstrong equalised with a low drive from outside of the box after being afforded too much time and space by a static Eagles defence.

Eagles regained the lead when Evans tapped in Whakail Tucker’s free kick at the back post as Social Club’s woes continued defending set pieces.

Social Club again refused to roll over and found themselves back on level terms after Smith side-footed Lewis’s pull back across the line from close range.

Alarmed, Eagles brought on Marlon Rojas, the former Trinidad and Tobago player, as a holding midfielder to try and stop the bleeding.

The tactic seemed to be working as Eagles struck twice within four minutes to place themselves firmly in the driver’s seat at half-time.

Eagles regained the lead when Fray blasted home from ten yards after Frazzoni dribbled his way into the box.

Frazzoni then made it 4-2 when his corner kick deflected off a defender at the near post.

Eagles failed to convert a few chances early in the second half which ultimately came back to haunt them as Lewis and Tuzo turned the game on its head.

Social Club were thrown a lifeline when Lambert, the Eagles goalkeeper, fumbled what should have been an easy interception, leaving the fleet-footed Lewis with the simple task of slotting into the empty net.

Before the dust had settled, Lewis drew the teams level for the third time with a ferocious left-footed volley that gave Lambert absolutely no chance.

Lewis then turned provider, peeling away from his marker and rolling the ball in the area for Tuzo to deliver the coup de grâce.